Analyzing internet protocol television data to support peer-assisted video-on-demand content delivery

ABSTRACT

A video-on-demand (VOD) server in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) network with a network of set-top boxes includes IPTV operational data and an analysis module that selects a content item. The VOD server divides the content item into sequential chunks, divides the chunks into stripes, pre-populates set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receives a request for the content item, and directs each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes. A method includes selecting a content item based upon IPTV operational data, dividing the content item into sequential chunks, dividing the chunks into stripes, pre-populating set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receiving a request for the content item, and directing each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to an Internet protocoltelevision system, and more particularly relates to advertising contenton an Internet protocol television system.

BACKGROUND

An Internet protocol television (IPTV) service provider can transmit anIPTV signal to a user of the IPTV system via a central office, a servingarea interface, and a residential gateway. The IPTV service provider canoffer the user a variety of different content and services. For example,the IPTV service provider can supply users with real-time televisionprograms that are typically available for the users to watch only at aspecific date and time. The IPTV service providers can also offer theusers on-demand movies that are available for an extended amount of timeand that are provided to the users upon request of the on-demand movie.The user can also record audio or video content for storage in a digitalformat on the user's set-top box or on a data server on the IPTV system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an IPTV network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a layered video-on-demandsystem;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of an on-demand content itemthat is divided into stripes;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of an on-demand content itemthat is divided into chunks and then further divided into stripes;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a peer-assistedvideo-on-demand system;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method ofanalyzing Internet protocol television data to support peer-assistedvideo-on-demand content delivery; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of ageneral computer system.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will bedescribed with particular reference to the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments. However, it should be understood that this class ofembodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous usesof the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in thespecification of the present application do not necessarily delimit anyof the various claimed systems, methods or computer-readable media.Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but notto others.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an IPTV system 100 including a clientfacing (CF) tier 102, an application tier 104, an acquisition tier 106,an operations and management (OM) tier 108, and one or more sets ofclient equipment 110. Client equipment 110 is typically located at thehome or business premises of a subscriber to the IPTV system 100. IPTVsystem 100 includes an access network 192, a private network 194, and apublic network 196. Each tier 102, 104, 106, and 108 is coupled to oneor more of access network 192, private network 194, and public network196. In an embodiment, CF tier 102 is coupled to access network 192 andto private network 194, application tier 104 is coupled to privatenetwork 194 and to public network 196, acquisition tier 106 is coupledto private network 194 and to public network 196, and OM tier 108 iscoupled to public network 196. Client equipment 110 is coupled to accessnetwork 192.

Networks 192, 194, and 196 communicate information between tiers 102,104, 106, and 108, and client equipment 110. Access network 192communicates information between CF tier 102 and client equipment 110.Private network 194 communicates information between CF tier 102 andapplication tier 104, between application tier 104 and acquisition tier106, and between acquisition tier 106 and CF tier 102. Public network196 communicates information between application tier 104 andacquisition tier 106, between acquisition tier 106 and OM tier 108, andbetween OM tier 108 and application tier 104. Information is alsocommunicated directly between CF tier 102 and application tier 104, asdescribed below. The information communicated between tiers 102, 104,106, and 108, and client equipment 110 includes encoded televisionprograms, audio files, data files, commands, procedures, otherinformation, or any combination thereof.

CF tier 102 communicates with multiple sets of client equipment 110 overa wide geographic area, such as a regional area, a metropolitan area, aviewing area, or any other suitable geographic area that is supported byaccess network 192. Client equipment 110 includes a modem 112, a set-topbox 114, a display device 116, and a remote control 118. The set-top box114 includes a digital video recorder (DVR) 120 and a control module125. Modem 112 is coupled to access network 192, and translatesinformation from a form suitable for transmission over access network192 to a form suitable for use by set-top box 114, and vice versa. In anon-limiting example, modem 112 is coupled to access network 192 viafiber-optic cables, a digital subscriber line (DSL), another networkfabric, or any combination thereof.

The information that CF tier 102 communicates to modem 112 is sent toset-top box 114, which processes the information into a form suitablefor display by display device 116 or for recording by DVR 120. Set-topbox 114 receives digitally encoded content from CF tier 102 for displayon display device 116, or for recording by DVR 120. Set-top box 114 canalso receive data from CF tier 102, and render or display the data ondisplay device 116. Further, set-top box 114 can send data to CF tier102. Such data can include service requests, or commands from thesubscriber, received by set-top box 112 via remote control 118. In thisway, the subscriber can request services or information or respond to arequest for information from IPTV system 100. Control module 125includes instructions that are executable by set-top box 114 to controlthe data flow between the subscriber and IPTV system 100. Control module125 can include an IPTV software platform such as Microsoft® TV IPTVEdition.

Control module 125 can facilitate data communication between set-top box114 and IPTV system 100. For example, control module 125 can include aprocedure whereby set-top box 114 receives a request to record contenton DVR 120, or sends a status to IPTV system 100 that the content hasbeen recorded. Likewise, control module 125 can include a procedurewhereby the subscriber can interact with IPTV system 100 to receive andexecute a viewing preference that the subscriber has created in IPTVsystem 100. Such preferences can be created via remote control 118, orthrough a subscriber account that is accessible through public network196, such as through a subscriber's personal computer 198. Anon-limiting example of remote control 118 includes a hand-heldcontroller device, a game controller device, a keyboard/mouse device,another control device, or any combination thereof.

CF tier 102 includes a client-facing tier (CFT) switch 130, a dataserver 132, a terminal server 134, and a video-on-demand (VOD) server136. CFT switch 130 manages communication with client equipment 110through access network 192 and with application tier 104 and acquisitiontier 106 through private network 194. CFT switch 130 is coupled to dataserver 132 that stores data transmitted in response to subscriberrequests. CFT switch 130 is also coupled to terminal server 134 thatprovides terminal devices, such as a game application server, or otherdevices with a common connection point to private network 194. CFTswitch 130 is also coupled to VOD server 136.

Application tier 104 includes application tier (APP) switches 140 and141, an application server 142, an operation systems and support/billingsystems and support (OSS/BSS) server 144, a subscriber and system store145, a domain controller 146, and a client gateway 147. APP switches 140and 141 manage communication with CF tier 102 and acquisition tier 106through private network 194. APP switch 141 also manages communicationwith acquisition tier 106 and OM tier 108 through public network 196.APP switch 140 is coupled to APP switch 141. APP switch 140 is alsocoupled to application server 142 and to OSS/BSS gateway 144.Application server 142 provides applications to set-top box 114 througha set-top box application 143, so that set-top box 114 can providefunctions such as recording and displaying content, messaging, andprocessing of IPTV data and VOD material. OSS/BSS gateway 144 includesoperation systems and support (OSS) data, and billing systems andsupport (BSS) data.

APP switch 141 is coupled to domain controller 146 and to subscriber andsystem store 145. Domain controller 146 provides web access, forexample, to subscribers via public network 196. Subscriber and systemstore 145 includes account information that is associated withsubscribers who access IPTV system 100 via private network 194 or publicnetwork 196. Application tier 104 also communicates data directly to CFtier 102 through client gateway 147. In this embodiment, client gateway147 is coupled directly to CFT switch 130.

Client gateway 147 provides subscriber access to private network 194 andtiers coupled thereto. In particular, set-top box 114 accesses IPTVsystem 100 via access network 192 using information received from clientgateway 147. Access network 192 provides security for private network194. Client equipment 110 accesses client gateway 147 via access network192 and client gateway 147 allows client equipment 110 to access privatenetwork 194 once client equipment 110 is authenticated or verified.Similarly, client gateway 147 prevents unauthorized client equipment(not illustrated), such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices, from accessing private network 194 by denying access to thesedevices beyond access network 192.

For example, when set-top box device 114 accesses IPTV system 100 viaaccess network 192, client gateway 147 verifies subscriber informationby communicating with subscriber and system store 145 via privatenetwork 194, APP switch 140, and APP switch 141. Further, client gateway147 verifies billing information and status by communicating withOSS/BSS gateway 144 via private network 194 and APP switch 140. OSS/BSSgateway 144 transmits a query across APP switch 140, to APP switch 141,and APP switch 141 communicates the query across public network 196 toan OSS/BSS server 164 (described below). After the client gateway 147confirms subscriber and/or billing information, client gateway 147allows set-top box device 114 access to IPTV system 100 content and VODserver 136 content. If client gateway 147 cannot verify subscriberinformation for set-top box 114, such as when set-top box 114 isconnected to a different twisted pair, or when set-top box 114 isstolen, client gateway 147 denies transmissions to and from set-top boxdevice 114 beyond access network 192.

Domain controller 146 communicates with public network 196 via APPswitch 141. Domain controller 146 includes a web portal that allows asubscriber to access IPTV system 100 using a personal computer 198.Domain controller 146 also communicates with a data network 172 that isconnected to a wireless access point 174. Wireless access point 174communicates with a subscriber's wireless device 176 to provide wirelessaccess to IPTV system 100. A non-limiting example of a wireless device176 includes a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, amobile e-mail device, a portable digital video device, another wirelessdevice, or any combination thereof. Wireless device 176 includes adisplay device 178 for displaying information from IPTV system 100.Display device 178 includes a text display, a picture display, a videodisplay or any combination thereof.

Acquisition tier 106 includes an acquisition tier (AQT) switch 150, alive acquisition server 152, a broadcast service 154, and avideo-on-demand importer server 156. AQT switch 150 managescommunication with CF tier 104 and application tier 104 through privatenetwork 194, and with application tier 104 and OM tier 108 throughpublic network 196. AQT switch 150 is coupled to live acquisition server152, and video-on-demand importer server 156. Live acquisition server152 acquires television content from broadcast service 154. Liveacquisition server 152 sends the television content to AQT switch 150for transmission to CF tier 102 via private network 194. The televisioncontent is further encoded at data server 132, and sent to clientequipment 110 via access network 192. Set-top box 114 receives thetelevision content from modem 112, decodes the television content, andtransmits the information to display device 116 according to commandsfrom remote control device 120.

Additionally, VOD importer server 156 receives content from one or morevideo-on-demand sources that are outside IPTV system 100, such as moviestudios and programmers of non-live content. VOD importer server 156transmits the video-on-demand content to AQT switch 150, and AQT switch150 communicates the material to CFT switch 130 via private network 194.The video-on-demand content is stored on VOD server 136. When asubscriber issues a request for VOD content to set-top box 114 throughremote control 118, the request is transmitted over access network 192to VOD server 136 via CFT switch 130. Upon receiving such a request, VODserver 136 retrieves the requested VOD content and transmits the contentto set-top box or 114 across access network 192 via CFT switch 130.

OM tier 108 includes an OM tier (OMT) switch 160, a TV2 server 162, theOSS/BSS server 164, and a simple network management protocol (SNMP)monitor server 166. OMT switch 160 manages the communication between OMtier 108 and public network 196. OMT switch 160 is coupled to TV2 server162, OSS/BSS server 164, and SNMP monitor server 166 that monitorsnetwork devices. TV2 server 162 receives television content from liveacquisition server 152, or video-on-demand content from VOD importerserver 156 through public network 196. The television andvideo-on-demand content is sent by TV2 server 162 to OMT switch 160 andforwarded to a subscriber of IPTV system 100 who accesses public network196 through personal computer 198.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a layered VOD system 200 thatincludes a national level 210 and a regional level 220. VOD system 200provides fiber-to-the-neighborhood (FTTN) and/or fiber-to-the-home(FTTH) access to IPTV services including on-demand and real-time contentstreaming. National level 210 includes a super head end (SHE) server 212that functions to receive and store content for distribution within VODsystem 200, and handles national level content management. SHE server212 functions to prepare content for distribution, as for example byconverting content received in an analog stream into a codec suitablefor distribution via IPTV, and to manage digital rights to the contentfor VOD system 200. SHE server 212 distributes copies of the content toone or more regions in regional level 220. The content provided by VODsystem 200 can include real-time or on-demand television programming,on-demand movie or event content, audio content, web content, or otherforms of content. In a particular embodiment, SHE server 212 is similarto acquisition tier 106 in IPTV system 100.

Regional level 220 includes one or more video hub office (VHO) servers222 and 224. VHO servers 222 and 224 are placed in particular locationsto provide regional storage and distribution of the content receivedfrom SHO server 212. Thus, for example, a large metropolitan area can beserved by VHO server 222, and a different metropolitan area can beserved by VHO 224. VHO servers 222 and 224 pass through the real-timecontent and store the on-demand content received from SHE server 212.VHO servers 222 and 224 receive user requests for real-time content andsatisfy these requests by passing through the requested real-timecontent to the requesting users. VHO servers 222 and 224 also receiveuser requests for on-demand content, and satisfy these requests bystreaming the requested on-demand content to the requesting users.Typically, SHE server 212 will push content to VHO server 222 and 224,such that VHO servers 222 and 224 and SHE 212 have the same content. Ina particular embodiment, VHO servers 222 and 224 are similar to VODserver 136 in IPTV system 100.

Regional level 220 also includes several levels of successively morelocal distribution. Thus, the metropolitan area served by VHO server 222includes one or more central office servers 232 and 234, and themetropolitan area served by VHO server 224 includes one or more centraloffice servers (not illustrated). Central office servers 232 and 234 areplaced in locations to provide area wide distribution of the contentreceived from VHO server 222. Thus, for example, central office 232 candistribute content to the north side of the metropolitan area, andcentral office 234 can distribute content to the south side of themetropolitan area. Next, the local area served by central office 232includes one or more digital subscriber line access multiplexers(DSLAMs) 242 and 244, and the local area served by central office 234includes one or more DSLAMs (not illustrated). DSLAMs 242 and 244 areplaced in locations to provide local distribution of the contentreceived from central office 232. For example, DSLAMs 242 and 244 caneach distribute content to different neighborhoods in the north side ofthe metropolitan area served by VHO server 222. DSLAM 242 functions toprovide twisted-pair copper wire digital subscriber line (DSL) serviceto one or more local residential gateways or STBs (RG/STB) 252, 254, and256, and DSLAM 244 functions to provide twisted-pair copper wire DSLservice to one or more local RG/STBs (not illustrated). DSLAMs 242 and244 typically provide DSL service to up to 192 subscribers. RG/STBs 252,254, and 256 typically have a download bandwidth capacity sufficient tohandle the data traffic of a typical subscriber. For example, a set-topbox may have a download bandwidth capacity of 50 megabytes per second(Mbps), and the download bandwidth capacity can be shared by two highdefinition channels of 6 Mbps each, two standard definition channels of2 Mbps each, a voice-over-Internet channel, and a high-speed Internetchannel. Also, RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256 typically have an uploadbandwidth capacity that is lower than the download bandwidth capacity.For example, a set-top box may have an upload bandwidth capacity that islimited to 2 Mbps.

Central offices 232 and 234, and DSLAMs 242 and 244 provide pass throughdistribution of the content served by VHO servers 222 and 224, and canprovide some level of local caching of the content, but do not typicallyperform the large scale content storage function that is provided by VHOservers 222 and 224. Thus, in a particular embodiment, when a userassociated with RG/STB 252 wishes to receive on-demand content, the usermakes a request for the content item through RG/STB 252. That request issent to VHO server 222 through DSLAM 242 and central office 234. VHOserver 222 determines if the content item is stored on VHO server 222.If the content item is stored on VHO server 222, then VHO server 222streams the content item via central office 232 and DSLAM 242 to RG/STB252. RG/STB 252 displays the content item to the user as it is received,or records the content item on an associated DVR (not illustrated).However, in this embodiment, when the demand for on-demand content ishigh, the bandwidth capacity of the links between VHO 222 and centraloffice 232, and between central office 232 and DSLAM 242 can becomebottlenecked. These bottlenecks are typically managed by increasing thebandwidth capacity of VHO 222 and central office 232 to meet the risingdemand.

Central offices 232 and 234, and DSLAMs 242 and 244 can provide controlfor the distribution of peer-assisted content delivery. Here, in anotherembodiment, VHO server 222 pre-populates on-demand content on the DVRsin RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256. Then, when the user associated with RG/STB252 wishes to receive on-demand content, the user makes a request forthe content item through RG/STB 252. RG/STB 252 determines if therequested content item has been pre-populated on any of RG/STBs 252,254, or 256 in the locality served by DSLAM 242. In a particularembodiment, RG/STB 252 makes the determination through a consulting atable in RG/STB 252 that indicates the content available in the localityserved by DSLAM 242. In another embodiment, RG/STB 252 makes thedetermination by requesting the information from RG/STB 252 or centraloffice 232. If the content item is pre-populated in the local peernetwork of RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256, then RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256upload the content item to RG/STB 252. Otherwise, the request is sent tocentral office 232 which determines if the requested content item hasbeen pre-populated on any of RG/STBs associated with DSLAM 244 in thelocality served by DSLAM 244. If the content item is pre-populated inthe local peer associated with DSLAM 244, then central office 232uploads the content item from the appropriate RG/STB in the local peernetwork of DSLAM 244, and streams the content item to RG/STB 252. Ifnone of the local peer networks associated with central office 232 havethe content item, of if an uploading peer is otherwise unavailable, thencentral office 232 sends the request to VHO server 222, and theon-demand content request is handled as describe above. In this way, thelink traffic between VHO server 222 and central office 232 and betweencentral office 232 and DSLAM 242 is reduced. In a particular embodiment,a portion of the storage capacity of the DVRs in RG/STBs 252, 254, and256 is reserved by VOD system 200 for the purpose of pre-populatingcontent items for peer-assisted on-demand content streaming.

As noted above, RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256 typically have a limitedupload bandwidth capacity compared to the download bandwidth capacity.Thus, pre-populating an entire content item on RG/STBs 252, 254, and256, would result in poor playback performance on the downloading RG/STB252, 254, or 256. For example, if a requested content item is a highdefinition content item, requiring a download bandwidth capacity of 6Mbps, and the content item were only pre-populated on a single set-topbox with an upload bandwidth capacity of 2 Mbps, then the playback onthe requesting set-top box would be starved for content information,resulting in an unsatisfactory user experience.

Instead, on-demand content can be divided into stripes, and each stripecan be pre-populated on a different RG/STB 252, 254, and 256, asillustrated in FIG. 3, where a content item 310 is divided into stripes311, 312, and 313. Stripe 311 is pre-populated onto RG/STB 252, stripe312 is pre-populated onto RG/STB 254, and stripe 313 is pre-populatedonto RG/STB 256. Here, a request for content item 310 is served byRG/STBs 252, 254, and 256 to provide sufficient upload bandwidthcapacity to satisfy the download capacity of the requesting RG/STB 252,254, or 256. Thus, using the above example, the high definition contentitem can be divided into three stripes, and those stripes can bepre-populated onto three different set-top boxes. Then, when the contentitem is requested, each of the three set-top boxes uploads the stripestored thereon with each providing an upload bandwidth capacity of 2Mbps, and together providing the combined upload bandwidth capacity of 6Mbps.

FIG. 4 illustrates a content item 410 that is divided into chunks 412,414, and 416. Chunks 412, 414, and 416 represent a sequential playablesubunit of content item 410. Thus, when RG/STB 252 receives a completechunk 412, 414, or 416, the portion of content item 410 that iscontained therein can be played on RG/STB 252. Chunk 412 is furtherdivided into stripes 421, 422, and 423, chunk 414 is further dividedinto stripes 424, 425, and 426, and chunk 416 is further divided intostripes 427, 428, and 429. Here, one stripe 421 through 429 from eachchunk 412, 414, and 416 is pre-populated on RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256.Thus, RG/STB 252 is pre-populated with stripes 421, 424, and 427, RG/STB254 is pre-populated with stripes 422, 425, and 428, and RG/STB 256 ispre-populated with stripes 423, 426, and 429. Here, a request forcontent item 410 is served by RG/STBs 252, 254, and 256 to providesufficient upload bandwidth capacity to satisfy the download capacity ofthe requesting RG/STB 252, 254, or 256. However, the uploading can bemanaged on a chunk-by-chunk basis. Thus, RG/STB 252, 254, and 256 eachupload the stripes 421, 422, and 423 associated with chunk 412, thenthey upload the stripes 424, 425, and 426 associated with chunk 414, andfinally they upload the stripes 427, 428, and 429 associated with chunk416. In this way, uploading can be managed as transfers of smaller datafiles, and added flexibility is gained in terms of where to pre-populatethe stripes and when to upload them. In another embodiment (notillustrated), the stripes are each created to include redundant portionsof the content item, such that a smaller number of stripes need to bereceived to recreate the chunk, than the number of stripes created foreach chunk. For example, a chunk can be divided into five stripes eachwith a redundant portion of the content of the chunk, and the RG/STB canreceive four stripes that combine to include the complete data of thechunk.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a peer-assisted VOD system 500including a VHO system 520 and a peering network 540. VHO system 520includes a VHO server 522, a data mining and analysis module 526, and anIPTV operational data storage module 528. Peering network 540 includesRG/STBs 550, 552, 554, 556, and 558. VHO server 522 functions similarlyto VHO servers 222 and 224. In addition, VHO server 522 functions todetermine the amount of storage capacity that is available in each ofRG/STBs 550 through 558 on which to pre-populate particular contentitems, to determine the particular content items to pre-populate, andwhen and how the particular content items are pre-populated.

VHO server 522 is coupled to data mining and analysis module 526 and toIPTV operational data storage module 528. IPTV operational data storagemodule 528 includes a repository of usage data including on-demandcontent usage statistics, RG/STB power state data, set-top box capacitymanagement data, and other information related to the operation of VODsystem 500. Data mining and analysis module 526 functions to process theinformation in IPTV operational data storage module 528 to determinewhich content items to pre-populate within peering network 540, and whenand how the content is pre-populated.

In a particular embodiment, data mining and analysis module 526 analyzesthe on-demand content usage statistics to determine which content itemsare requested most often, and creates a ranked list of popular titles.Data mining and analysis module 526 revises the ranked list periodicallyand tracks trends in requests for content items. For example, the numberof requests for a popular movie may be high for several days, while thenumber of requests for an on-demand concert event might peak to a higherlevel for a day, but then drop off quickly. Then, in combination withthe set-top box capacity management data, data mining and analysismodule 526 determines how many of the titles in the ranked list peeringnetwork 540 has the capacity to store, and directs VHO server 522 topre-populate the selected content items onto RG/STBs 550 through 558. Ina particular embodiment, as the ranked list changes, previouslypre-positioned content items that no longer rank high enough to remainpre-positioned are erased from RG/STBs 550 through 558, in order to freeup storage capacity for more popular titles.

Data mining and analysis module 526 also evaluates the on-demand contentusage statistics with respect to the time of day and day of the weekthat VOD system 500 experiences the peak number of requests, and directsVHO server 522 as to when to do the pre-populating of the selectedcontent items. For example, data mining and analysis module 526 candetermine that on-demand content requests peak between 4:00 PM andmidnight on weekdays, but peak between 9:00 AM and midnight on weekends.Thus, data mining and analysis module 526 can direct VHO server 522 toperform the pre-populating of the content items between midnight and4:00 PM on weekdays, and between midnight and 9:00 AM on weekends.

Further, data mining and analysis module 526 evaluates the RG/STB powerstate data to determine a safety factor with which to over populatepeering network 540. That is, data mining and analysis module 526 maydetermine that not all of RG/STBs 550 through 558 that are powered onduring pre-population will remain powered on during the time of peakon-demand requests. Thus, more copies of a particular content item mayneed to reside in peering network 550 in order to ensure that therequested content item is available. For example, if 25 percent of theresidential gateways in a peering network that are powered on at 3:00 AMare found to be powered off at 9:00 PM, then peering network 540 can beover-populated by 33 percent (1÷0.75). Thus, the stripes composing aparticular content item can be pre-populated on more than one of RG/STBs552, 554, 556, and 558, as illustrated by dashed lines 560, in such away that any three of RG/STBs 552, 554, 556, and 558 are able to satisfya request for the content item. For example, if RG/STB 558 is notpowered on after being pre-populated, and RG/STB 550 makes a request forthe content item, illustrated by dotted line 571, then the downloadbandwidth capacity of RG/STB 550 is satisfied by RG/STBs 552, 554, and556, as illustrated by dotted lines 572. Similarly, over-populating ofstripes in the peer network can be done in case one or more of RG/STBs552, 554, 556, and 558 fails. This can be done by encoding the stripeswith an erasure coding scheme, whereby each stripe includes a portion ofinformation from one or more other stripes, such that the information inthe stripe in a failing RG/STB 552, 554, or 556 is made up by theremaining stripes.

Note that the above examples utilize the entire upload bandwidthcapacity of the pre-populated set-top boxes. A more realistic scenariowould be for the provider of VOD system 200 to allocate only a portionof the upload bandwidth capacity to peer-assisted content delivery, andreserving the remainder of the upload bandwidth capacity for the user.Thus for example, if the portion of the upload bandwidth capacityallocated for peer-assisted content delivery is 200 kilobytes per second(kbps), then the content item would need to be divided into 30 stripes,and each stripe would need to be pre-populated on a different one of 30set-top boxes to satisfy a download bandwidth capacity of 6 Mbps.Further note that the provider of VOD system 200 can pre-populatemultiple copies of selected content items within a peer network, inorder to meet a higher demand for the selected content items.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of mininginternet protocol television data to support peer-assisted VOD contentdelivery. The method starts in block 602, and IPTV network operationaldata is collected in block 604. For example, the IPTV network dataassociated with VOD system 500 can be collected on IPTV operational datastorage module 528. The available storage capacity of a peer network ofRG/STBs is determined from the operational data in block 606. Thus, datamining and analysis module 526 can determine the available storagecapacity of peering network 540 from IPTV operational data storagemodule 528. The frequency that content items are requested is determinedin block 608. Here, data mining and analysis module 526 can create aranked list of popular titles based upon request frequency data in IPTVoperational data storage module 528. The content items to bepre-populated to the peering network are selected in block 610. Thus,data mining and analysis module 526 can select content items from theranked list to utilize the available storage capacity of peering network540. A time window in which to pre-populate the peering network with theselected content items is determined in block 612. Here, data mining andanalysis module 526 can determine the frequency of content requests pertime of day from IPTV operational data 528 and determine that a time ofday when data traffic in peering network 540 is low is optimum forpre-populating the selected content items.

A decision is made as to whether or not it is the time window in whichto pre-populate the selected content items in decision block 614. Ifnot, then the “NO” branch of decision block 614 is taken and processingloops through decision block 614 until the time window arrives. When thetime window arrives, the “YES” branch of decision block 614 is taken,and the RG/STBs in the peering network are pre-populated with theselected content items in block 616. For example, VOD server 522 canpre-populate RG/STBs 550 through 558 with the selected content items. Adecision is made as to whether or not a content request has beenreceived in decision block 618. If not, then the “NO” branch of decisionblock 618 is taken and processing loops through decision block 618 untila content request is received. When a content request is received, the“YES” branch of decision block 618 is taken, and a decision is made asto whether or not the request is for a content item that is available onthe peer network in decision block 620. If so, then the “YES” branch ofdecision block 620 is taken, the requested content item is downloadedfrom the peer network to the requesting RG/STB in block 622, andprocessing ends in block 626. If the request is not for a content itemthat is available on the peer network, then the “NO” branch of decisionblock 620 is taken, the requested content item is downloaded from theVOD server to the requesting RG/STB in block 624, and processing ends inblock 626

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system 700in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.Computer system 700 includes a set of instructions that can be executedto cause computer system 700 to perform any one or more of the methodsor computer based functions disclosed herein. Computer system 700 canoperate as a standalone device or can be connected via a network toother computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, computer system 700 operates in the capacityof a server or as a client computer in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. Computer system 700 can also beimplemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-linetelephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, aprinter, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a networkrouter, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, computer system 700is implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video ordata communication. Further, while computer system 700 is illustrated asa single system, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

Computer system 700 includes a processor 702 such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both.Moreover, computer system 700 includes a main memory 704 and a staticmemory 706 that communicate with each other via a bus 708. Computersystem 700 further includes a video display unit 710, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, computer system 700 includes an input device 712, such asa keyboard, and a cursor control device 714, such as a mouse. Computersystem 700 also includes a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interfacedevice 720.

In a particular embodiment, disk drive unit 716 includes acomputer-readable medium 722 in which one or more sets of instructions724 are embedded. Instructions 724 embody one or more of the methods orlogic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, instructions 724reside completely, or at least partially, within main memory 704, staticmemory 706, and/or within processor 702 during execution by computersystem 700. Main memory 704 and processor 702 also includecomputer-readable media. Network interface device 720 providesconnectivity to a network 726 such as a wide area network (WAN), a localarea network (LAN), or other network. The present disclosurecontemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 724or receives and executes instructions 724 responsive to a propagatedsignal, so that a device connected to network 726 can communicate voice,video or data over network 726. Further, instructions 724 can betransmitted or received by network 726 via network interface device 720.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations such asapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can be constructed to implement one or more ofthe methods described herein. Applications that include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments describedherein can implement functions using two or more specific interconnectedhardware modules or devices with related control and data signals thatcan be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions ofan application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the presentsystem encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein can be implemented by software code executableby a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment,implementations can include distributed processing, component/objectdistributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtualcomputer system processing can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods or functionality as described herein.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives can be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions can be stored.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments can be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments can be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changescan be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description of the Drawings, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description of the Drawings, with each claim standing on itsown as defining separately claimed subject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present disclosed subject matter. Thus, tothe maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosedsubject matter is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shallnot be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video-on-demand server in an internet protocoltelevision network, the video-on-demand server comprising: a memory tostore instructions and to store operational data of the internetprotocol television network; a processor coupled to the memory, whereinresponsive to the instructions, the processor performs operationscomprising: selecting a content item based upon the operational data;determining a number of copies of the content item to reside on apeering network based upon the operational data, wherein the operationaldata includes power state data for a plurality of set-top boxes formingthe peering network; determining the set-top boxes included in thepeering network based upon the power state data, and evaluating thepower state data to determine a safety factor with which toover-populate the peering network; dividing each copy of the contentitem into a plurality of sequential chunks; dividing each chunk into aplurality of stripes, wherein the number of the plurality of stripes isdetermined based upon the operational data; pre-populating each set-topbox of the plurality of set-top boxes with a stripe from each chunk ofthe plurality of sequential chunks; receiving a request for the contentitem from a particular set-top box in the peering network; in responseto receiving the request, directing each set-top box to stream itsstripe associated with a first sequential chunk to the particularset-top box, and then to sequentially stream its stripes associated witheach successive sequential chunk of the plurality of sequential chunksto the particular set-top box.
 2. The video-on-demand server of claim 1,wherein the internet protocol television network operational dataincludes a frequency of content requests per content item for aplurality of content items; and wherein the operations further compriseselecting the content item based upon the frequency of content requestsper content item; and wherein the content item is a most frequentlyrequested content item from among the plurality of content items.
 3. Thevideo-on-demand server of claim 1, wherein the internet protocoltelevision network operational data includes a frequency of contentrequests per time of day; and wherein the operations further comprisedetermining a particular time of day in which to pre-populate thecontent item to the plurality of set-top boxes based upon the frequencyof content requests per time of day.
 4. The video-on-demand server ofclaim 3, wherein the particular time of day includes a time of day witha lowest frequency of content requests.
 5. The video-on-demand server ofclaim 1, wherein: the safety factor is determined so as to ensureavailability of the content item while a portion of the pre-populatedset-top boxes are powered off when the request is received.
 6. Thevideo-on-demand server of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving an indication that one of the plurality of set-topboxes is unable to stream a particular stripe; and in response toreceiving the indication, streaming the particular stripe to theparticular set-top box.
 7. The video-on-demand server of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise dividing each chunk into theplurality of stripes using an erasure coding for each of the pluralityof stripes, such that for each chunk a number of stripes that is lessthan the number of the plurality of stripes comprises information of thechunk.
 8. A method comprising: selecting, by a video-on-demand servercomprising a processor, a content item based upon operational data foran internet protocol television system; dividing, by the video-on-demandserver, each copy of a number of copies of the content item into aplurality of sequential chunks, wherein the number of copies isdetermined based upon the operational data, and wherein the operationaldata includes power state data for a plurality of set-top boxes forminga peering network; determining, by the video-on-demand server, theset-top boxes included in the peering network based upon the power statedata, dividing, by the video-on-demand server, each chunk into aplurality of stripes, wherein the number of the plurality of stripes isdetermined based upon the operational data; pre-populating, by thevideo-on-demand server, the plurality of set-top boxes with a stripefrom each chunk; evaluating, by the video-on-demand server, the powerstate data to determine a safety factor with which to over-populate thepeering network; receiving, by the video-on-demand server, a request forthe content item from a particular set-top box in the peering network;and in response to receiving the request, directing, by thevideo-on-demand server, each set-top box to stream its stripe associatedwith a first sequential chunk of the plurality of sequential chunks tothe particular set-top box, and then to sequentially stream its stripesassociated with each successive sequential chunk of the plurality ofsequential chunks to the particular set-top box.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the operational data includes a frequency of content requestsper content item for a plurality of content items; and wherein thecontent item is determined based upon the frequency of content requestsper content item, such that the content item is a most frequentlyrequested content item from among the plurality of content items. 10.The method of claim 8, wherein the operational data includes a frequencyof content requests per time of day.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereina particular time of day in which to pre-populate the content item onthe plurality of set-top boxes is determined based upon the frequency ofcontent requests per time of day, such that the particular time of dayincludes a time of day with a lowest frequency of content requests. 12.The method of claim 8, wherein the content item is pre-populated on theplurality of set-top boxes based upon the power state data.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, by the video-on-demandserver, an indication that one of the plurality of set-top boxes isunable to stream a particular stripe; and in response to receiving theindication, streaming, by the video-on-demand server, the particularstripe to the particular set-top box.
 14. The method of claim 9, whereineach chunk is divided into the plurality of stripes using an erasurecoding for each of the plurality of stripes, such that for each chunk anumber of stripes that is less than the number of the plurality ofstripes comprises information of the chunk.
 15. A tangiblecomputer-readable storage device, comprising instructions which, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: selecting a content item based upon operational data for aninternet protocol television system; dividing each copy of a number ofcopies of the content item into a plurality of sequential chunks,wherein the number of copies is determined based upon the operationaldata, and wherein the operational data includes power state data for aplurality of set-top boxes forming a peering network; determining theset-top boxes included in the peering network based upon the power statedata, dividing each chunk into a plurality of stripes, wherein thenumber of the plurality of stripes is determined based upon theoperational data; pre-populating the plurality of set-top boxes eachwith a stripe from each chunk; evaluating the power state data todetermine a safety factor with which to over-populate the peeringnetwork; receiving a request for the content item from a particularset-top box in the peering network; and in response to receiving therequest, directing each set-top box to stream its stripe associated witha first sequential chunk to the particular set-top box, and then tosequentially stream its stripes associated with each successivesequential chunk of the plurality of sequential chunks to the particularset-top box.
 16. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim15, wherein the operational data includes a frequency of contentrequests per content item for a plurality of content items; and whereinthe content item is determined based upon the frequency of contentrequests per content item, such that the content item is a mostfrequently requested content item from among the plurality of contentitems.
 17. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 15,wherein the operational data includes a frequency of content requestsper time of day; and wherein a particular time of day in which topre-populate the content item on the plurality of set-top boxes isdetermined based upon the frequency of content requests per time of day,such that the particular time of day includes a time of day with alowest frequency of content requests.
 18. The tangible computer-readablestorage device claim 15, wherein the content item is pre-populated onthe plurality of set-top boxes based upon the power state data.
 19. Thetangible computer-readable storage device claim 15, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving an indication that one of theplurality of set-top boxes is unable to stream a particular stripe; andin response to receiving the indication, streaming the particular stripeto the particular set-top box.
 20. The tangible computer-readablestorage device claim 15, wherein each chunk is divided into theplurality of stripes using an erasure coding for each of the pluralityof stripes, such that each stripe includes information from anotherstripe.